CALGARY, March 30, 2012 /CNW/ - For post secondary students wanting to
get their foot in the door of the business world this summer, the job
search starts with perfecting resumes, scrolling through countless job
boards, honing interview skills and getting that business suit out of
the closet. But while some students are scrambling to put the finishing
touches on their resumes in hopes that theirs will stand out among the
endless stack on a hiring manager's desk, others have taken a less
traditional approach to the dreaded job search with CGA Alberta's Next
Top Accountant contest.
Instead of resumes, students submitted short online videos outlining why
they were the right person for a summer internship with CGA Alberta's
contest partner Husky Energy Inc. (TSX:HSE). The five contestants with
the most "Likes" were then invited to compete in a business case
competition, with the winner walking away with the title of Alberta's
Next Top Accountant, the summer internship at Husky Energy and a $3,000
cash prize.
"This is a fun and creative way for students to demonstrate their talent
and expertise," said John Carpenter, CEO of CGA Alberta. "The video
competition highlights the students' creativity, and the business case
showcases their ability to analyze a case and think clearly under
pressure; skills that may not be apparent on a resume or in a job
interview. We also provide aspiring accounting students with an
alternative access to the job market and the opportunity to develop
business competence in the oil and gas industry; skills that will help
them stand out from the competition down the road."
In just seven weeks, the videos went viral. In total, CGA Alberta's
YouTube channel received more than 17,000 visitors, 88,000 page views,
and nearly 8,500 votes.